Pamphilius sylvaticus - Hedgerow Spinner

This leaf-roller is the commonest species in this genus, widespread as far north as northern Scotland (Musgrove, 2022). The abdomen is black without a band of reddish-yellow on the middle segments. The third antennal segment is clearly shorter than the scape and about the same length as, or less than, segment four. Scutellum yellow. Antennal scape dark marked at the base of the inner side. Head usually with conspicuous yellow spots behind each eye.

Pamphilius sylvaticus larvae on hawthorn, blackthorn etc., and rowans. They create a leaf-roll from within which they feed.

Jump to other Pamphiliidae

Size: 8 - 10mm

GB IUCN Status: Least Concern
GB Rarity Status: None

Distribution: England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland

Flight period: April to July

Plant associations: Crataegus spp, Prunus spp., and Sorbus spp. (hawthorns, wild plums and rowans) including Sorbus aucuparia (Mountain Ash), Prunus padus (Bird Cherry), Prunus domestica (Plum), Prunus spinosa (Blackthorn), Amelanchier spicata (Low Juneberry), Pyrus communis (Pear), Crataegus spp. (Hawthorn).

The National Biodiversity Network records are shown on the map below. (See terms and conditions)

References:

Benson, R.B., 1952. Handbooks for the Identification of British Insects. Hymenoptera, Symphyta, Vol 6, Section 2(a-c), Royal Entomological Society, London

Liston A, Knight G, Sheppard D, Broad G, Livermore L (2014) Checklist of British and Irish Hymenoptera - Sawflies, ‘Symphyta’. Biodiversity Data Journal 2: e1168. https://doi.org/10.3897/BDJ.2.e1168

Lorenz, H. and Kraus M., 1957. Die Larvalsystematik der Blattwespen (Tenthredinoidea und Megalodontoidea). - Abhandlungen zur Larvalsystematik der Insekten No. 1. Berlin: Akadamie - Verlag

Musgrove, A.J. 2022. A review of the status of sawflies of Great Britain - Phase 1: families other than Tenthredinidae. Natural England, unpublished

Viitasaari M. Sawflies (Hymenoptera, Symphyta), 1: a review of the suborder, the Western Palaearctic taxa of Xyeloidea and Pamphilioidea. Vol. 1. Helsinki: Tremex Press; 2002.